Science literacy is a critical need for a world heavily dependent on a technological base for current and future sustainability. Our intent was to take advantage of the “teachable moment” occasioned by 2009 being the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of the Origin of Species, and to promote scientific literacy with regard to evolution by promoting collaboration with local public outlets that are accustomed to working with the general public on understanding of science.

We provided matching funds to support SSE member generated proposals for outreach activities. On the principle that we wanted to support a very widespread initiative, we were as inclusive as possible in our review of these applications.

In the end, the SSE supported projects from three continents, eight countries, four Canadian provinces, and fifteen US States. A number of projects address Darwin's voyage on the Beagle, including a village festival in Uruguay where Darwin was in residence doing field collection, events in Tierra del Fuego in Argentina, and a presentation on his work in the Galapagos by Peter and Rosemary Grant in MI. We are supporting the development of museum exhibits, portable education kits for school outreach, public talks, essay contests, and even an evolutionary feast sponsored by the State Museum of NY, as well as many other events. Many of the applications were prepared by graduate students and local events were coordinated by graduate student working groups.

Projects were supported at the following institutions:

Lead Institution/Partner Institution - Location

Universidad de Seville/Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovation - Spain

Centro Nacional Patagonico/ANPCYT-FONCYT - Argentina

University of Arizona/Northern Trust, Audubon Society - US-Arizona

University of Northern Iowa/UNI Freethinkers and Inquirers (UNIFI) - US-Iowa